Baroque Music
The leading regions of Baroque Music were Germany and Italy, with the two most notable Baroque Composers, George Frideric Handel, and Johann Sebastian Bach, from these two countries. The death of J.S. Bach marked the end of the Baroque music period in 1750.
Notable characteristics of Baroque music include basso continuo, and an exuberant musical style.
Basso continuo is the baseline of a piece, generally played by string bass instruments, along with an organ or harpsichord. A shorthand notation, called figured bass, provides the bass part and harmonies for the keyboard instrument.
Medieval, or Renaissance music, prior to the Baroque period, were mostly slow, and similar in style and mood. However, this changed dramatically in the Baroque period when composers started experimenting with musical ornaments, more complicated melodies, rhythms, and a wider variety of contrasts within the music - ie. dynamics, texture, and timbre.
Notable characteristics of Baroque music include basso continuo, and an exuberant musical style.
Basso continuo is the baseline of a piece, generally played by string bass instruments, along with an organ or harpsichord. A shorthand notation, called figured bass, provides the bass part and harmonies for the keyboard instrument.
Medieval, or Renaissance music, prior to the Baroque period, were mostly slow, and similar in style and mood. However, this changed dramatically in the Baroque period when composers started experimenting with musical ornaments, more complicated melodies, rhythms, and a wider variety of contrasts within the music - ie. dynamics, texture, and timbre.